St. Ignatius of Loyola
Today we celebrate St. Ignatius, the founder of the Jesuits. He was born in Spain in 1491 (right about the time Columbus was seeking sponsorship to sail to the New World), the youngest of 13 siblings. Like most young men during that time, he became a page and eventually joined the Spanish army to fight against the French. This suited him well because he was quite a surly young fellow -- more interested in gambling, fighting, and women than anything else.
According to one website, a cannonball and a series of bad surgeries ended his military career. While recurperating, he requested "romance novels," however none were available. Instead he was given a book about the life of Christ and a book of saints. Ignatius was challenged by what he read and transformed.
For several years he tried to travel to Jerusalem to walk where Jesus had, but he was unsuccessful. (Fighting between the Christians & the Muslims prevented his journey -- guess some things haven't changed?!) At the age of 33, he decided to study for the priesthood. Since he didn't know Latin, he began studying with schoolchildren and eventually ended up at the university. Even though he wasn't a priest, he began teaching and was several times imprisoned by the Church because he wasn't yet "ordained."
Eventually he was ordained & ended up in Paris with 2 companions. They requested an audience with the pope himself and asked to found a new order, known as the "Society of Jesus" or Jesuits. They took the typical vows of poverty, chastity, & obedience, but they also added the notion of traveling whereever the Holy Father decided and performing whatever tasks were needed.
Throughout his life, the Jesuits grew from 8 to 1000 members. They became primarily known for their teaching and found it the best way to correct ignorance & corruption among the clergy.
Ignatius died today (7.31) in 1556.
